Match Recap: Sacramento Republic FC 4, Colorado Rapids Reserves 3

By Sean Steimel, 06/20/14, 10:30AM PDT

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Republic FC score four times in route to a 4-3 victory over the Colorado Rapids Reserves in their first match at the new stadium, Bonney Field. The result in the highest-scoring affair of the Republic FC’s USL PRO season.

The scoring started in the 14th minute when Danny Mwanga single-handedly broke through Republic FC’s defense, first using his body to shield defender Harrison Delbridge from the ball as he made the turn towards goal. He was off to the races down the middle of the pitch and slotted a left-footed bullet past a diving Republic FC keeper Jake Gleeson for the first goal of the match.

Republic FC tallied next in the 39th minute. Nemanja Vuković sent a through ball towards Rodrigo Lopez, who dummied the ball to Braun in open space. Braun dribbled into the box and had the ball knocked away from him by the Rapids Reserves keeper Joe Nasco. Lopez found the rebound, faked a shot, pulled the ball back and sent a laser towards the goal, which was deflected into the back of the net by the Rapids Reserves defender Gale Agbossoumonde for the goal.

Lopez scored again for Republic FC in the 42nd minute as Vuković sent a pass to him just outside the box and he curled a right footed shot up and over the keeper Nasco for his second goal of the half.

The Rapids Reserves climbed back into the match in the 50th minute as Gabriel Torres trapped a Marlon Hairston cross and sent a ball on the ground past a diving save attempt from Republic FC keeper Gleeson.

The Rapids Reserves equalized in the 55th minute when Kortne Ford sent the ball to Charles Eloundo who sent a bullet shot to Gleeson’s right, who got his fingertips on the shot, but it still ended up in the back of the net.

The game-winner came in the 84th minute when forward Chad Bartlomé played a through ball which forced substitute keeper, John Berner, off his line to clear the ball. His clearance ricocheted of the foot of a streaking Mike Fucito, who chased after the ball and acrobatically slid it into the back of the net.

“From a fan’s perspective, it was a great evening”, said Republic FC Head Coach Preki after the match. “Seven goals scored and we came out on top. It was great we found a way to get three points, an important three points.”

With the win, Republic FC moves to 7-4-2 in USL PRO play. Republic FC will play again at Bonney Field on Thursday, June 26 against Arizona United SC. The match is scheduled for kickoff at 7:30 pm PST.